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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Monday, April 3, 2017
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BACOLOD City – If there is solid evidence on any wrongdoing, criminal and administrative charges may be filed against a male teacher who allowed his female students to sleep in his house in Barangay Granada.
Emelyn Pagunsan lodged a complaint against the teacher in Fr. Gratian Murray Integrated School, also in Granada, at the office of City Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas.
Pagunsan believes Robert de Tomas, a Science and Citizenship Advancement Training teacher, has been sleeping with her 16-year-old daughter.
Panay News is still trying to reach de Tomas for the comment. His mobile phone number was out of reach as of press time.
De Tomas may be held liable for violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, said Senior Police Officer 4 Arlene Torendon, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD).
The student has been sleeping in her teacher’s house since January this year, and the teacher allowed this despite knowing that the parents were looking for her. He even gave the student a key to his house, Torendon said, citing investigation.
Currently the student is in the WCPD’s custody.
De Tomas’ possible administrative liability will depend on the investigation of the Department of Education (DepEd), said Torendon.
According to DepEd – Negros Island Region director Gilbert Sadsad, Demavivas sent him a text message saying she is submitting to him an investigation report but he has yet to receive it as of press time.
In a radio interview, Sadsad said he was clueless about the complaint and heard about it only from the news. But in case there is prima facie evidence against the teacher, the DepEd will file an administrative case, he said.
In light of the complaint, Councilor Cindy Rojas said she will file a resolution requiring schools to submit a report on their initiatives on gender and development and anti-violence and women and children.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod already passed a resolution she authored urging all barangays to activate VAW (violence against women) Desks in compliance with City Ordinance No. 549, said Rojas, women and gender committee chairwoman.
Only a few barangays have complied with the local law, she stressed./PN
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